Atal canteens a boon for people from lower strata
state. Following this, five other canteens, including one more in Karnal, were opened.
The other canteens are in Panchkula, Bhiwani, Fatehabad and Nuh.
SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD
Run by self-help groups under the Haryana state rural livelihood mission, the canteen at Karnal grain market employs 15 women. The government pays them ₹15 for every plate sold.
The only challenge they face is that sometimes, catering to the huge demand becomes difficult. “When we started, we used to serve about 300 people a day. Now, the number has gone up to around 600 a day. It becomes difficult for us keep up the quality and speed of service,” said a worker at the canteen, on the condition of anonymity. The customers, however, are very pleased with the service.
“The quality of food is so good, we don’t have to bring lunch from home,” said a commission agent.
The only complaint they have is that it is open only for a fixed time (11am to 3pm). “The canteen should be open all through the day as it is not possible for us to buy food in the fixed hours,” said a labourer.
At the Karnal cooperative
THE FLIP SIDE
While the labourers are happy they are getting quality food at a reasonable rate, private dhaba owners say their business has been hit.
“This canteen has ruined our business. Now, no one comes to us for food. We only sell tea,” said a worker at Ravi Dhaba, located opposite the sugar mill. “We cannot provide food at ₹10. The government should think about us too,” he added.